Aircraft to Arrive Earlier
Boeing will hand over 25 planes to the Irish budget airline ahead of schedule. The 737 MAX jets, originally slated for next spring, are now expected in October, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary confirmed on Wednesday. He praised the craftsmanship of the aircraft as “top-notch” and said he anticipates swift approval from U.S. regulators.
Manufacturer’s Ongoing Issues
Boeing has faced persistent scrutiny over safety and production shortcomings. The 737 MAX was involved in several serious crashes due to technical faults, including an incident in which a cabin door panel came loose during flight. Following these events, U.S. authorities grounded the model and limited production to 38 planes per month. Earlier this year, Boeing indicated it would apply to increase that production cap.
Timely Boost for Ryanair
The accelerated delivery comes at a crucial time for Ryanair. The airline recently canceled around 700 flights due to air traffic control strikes, especially in France. Despite these disruptions, bookings remain strong, O’Leary said. With 70 percent of September seats already sold, he expects to offset most of the lost revenue and confirmed the airline’s forecast for the year remains intact.
